🥃 Salmiakki Koskenkorva
Finnish liqueur on Koskenkorva vodka with salmiakki salted liquorice, known as “Salmari”; appeared in the 1990s; now 30% ABV; producer Anora Group (formerly Altia).
Salmiakki Koskenkorva is a Finnish liqueur based on Koskenkorva vodka and salmiakki, a salted liquorice; it is nicknamed “Salmari”. The drink is dark grey, almost black, and sweet-salty in taste. Today its strength is 30% ABV, and the producer is Anora Group, formerly Altia. The brand belongs to the Koskenkorva family.
History. At first, Finnish bars dissolved Tyrkisk Peber liquorice lozenges in vodka themselves. An urban legend credits the idea to singer Jari Sillanpää, who supposedly worked as a bartender in the late 1980s. In the 1990s the mix became fashionable among young people, and the state retailer Alko launched a ready-made drink. After a newspaper story about a fictional injured teenager, the liqueur was withdrawn from sale for several years. Stocks were kept, and later it was quietly returned to the shelves.
Composition. The base is Koskenkorva barley vodka, to which liquorice, salmiak flavour and sugar are added. According to Systembolaget, there are about 22 g of sugar per 100 ml, that is over 220 g per litre. This is why the drink is classified as a liqueur rather than a flavoured vodka.
Strength. The first version had 38% ABV and, as a liqueur, was taxed lower than vodka. After its return the strength was reduced to 32%, and now it is 30% ABV. It is served chilled.
Why it matters to you. The sweet-salty taste masks the alcohol well, so the strength is easy to underestimate. The high sugar content makes the drink calorie-rich, and liquorice does not suit everyone: check the ingredients if a doctor has limited your liquorice intake. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | ready-made drink from the 1990s, Alko; now Anora Group (formerly Altia), Finland |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, cat. 32 (liqueur) |
| EU category | 32 – liqueur |
| Raw material | Koskenkorva vodka (barley), liquorice, salmiak flavour, sugar (over 220 g/l) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 30% ABV (now); previously 38% and 32% |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Salmiakki Koskenkorva → kind of → 🍸 Liqueurs → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Koskenkorva, 🍸 Vodka
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Finns
- Part of
- 🍸 Liqueurs
- Related to
- 🌍 Northern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🌿 Sambuca
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Salmiakki Koskenkorva was once banned?
It was withdrawn from sale after a newspaper story about a supposedly injured teenager that turned out to be fiction. A few years later the liqueur returned, now weaker.
What is Salmiakki Koskenkorva made from?
From Koskenkorva vodka, liquorice, salmiak flavour and sugar. In the early days bars dissolved Tyrkisk Peber lozenges in vodka.
What is the strength of Salmiakki Koskenkorva?
Now 30% ABV. The first version had 38%, and after its return 32%.
Who produces Salmiakki Koskenkorva?
Anora Group, formed in 2021 by merging Finland's Altia with Norway's Arcus. Older bottles name Altia as the producer.
What does “Salmari” mean?
It is the folk name of this liqueur in Finland, from the word “salmiakki”, meaning salted liquorice.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Northern Europe — Scandinavia, Finland, Denmark and Iceland: a cold land of cows, Icelandic skyr, Norwegian brunost and Danish cheeses with protected names.
- 🌿 Sambuca — Colourless anise liqueur: at least 38% vol., at least 350 g/l of sugar and 1–2 g/l of natural anethole.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Finns — The main people of Finland, a northern land of forests and lakes; their dairy staples are stretchy viili and baked leipäjuusto cheese.
Similar
🥃 Hpnotiq · 🥃 Minttu · 🥃 Cherry Heering · 🥃 Frangelico · 🥃 Choya Umeshu · 🥃 Pisang Ambon
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Salmiakki Koskenkorva Original (Koskenkorva Viina with Tyrkisk Peber salty liquorice; launched by Alko in the 1990s; 'Salmari'; withdrawal and return about five years later; 38 % then 32 %)
- Systembolaget: Koskenkorva Salmiakki, nr 8043802 (Anora Group PLC; 30 % vol.; 22.1 g sugar per 100 ml; spicy, sweet, clear salmiak character; served chilled; made in Finland)
- Vinmonopolet: Koskenkorva Salmiakki, nr 12697202 (Altia Corp.; 30 %; sugar 230 g/l; spirit and liquorice; discontinued in Norway)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I (category 32 liqueur: from 15 % vol., at least 100 g/l sugar as a rule)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)